Legendary Dr. John & The Lower 911 performed for the annual Elf Foundation Benefit Concert, sponsored by XM Satellite Radio, held at the Home Entertainment Show in Los Angeles earlier today.
Monte Bubbles Network®: MBN®
To understand the INTERNET you have to be open to change.
Content is King
Written by Joyce L Chow & William Hoehne June 4, 2006
To come here you have to be able to read.
Monte says to ability to read is the most powerful weapon in the world
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Monte Bubbles now Licensing her image for use.
First there was ABC,CBS,CNN,FOX
and NBC and now there is MBN ®
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averaging 100 Pages of news a day. )
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MONTEBUBBLISM: Never assume that a dog does not understand what is going on around it because they are a dog.
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ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY
Legendary Dr. John & The Lower 911 performed for the annual Elf Foundation Benefit Concert, sponsored by XM Satellite Radio, held at the Home Entertainment Show in Los Angeles earlier today.
Image Entertainment and Starbucks Hear Music to Co-Release a Musical Event with a Deluxe Edition DVD/CD of Taylor Hackford's Landmark Documentary ''Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'N' Roll'' Exclusively at Starbucks
Ckrush Film Comedy ''Artie Lange's Beer League'' World Premiere At CineVegas Film Festival in Las Vegas; Acceptance in Festival Reinforces Ckrush's Growing Recognition in Film Production and Distribution Marketplace
Music Superstars Join Forces in Los Angeles for Mega Event: ''JCPenney Jam...The Concert for America's Kids''
Now Available at Retail, New RCA High-Definition DVD Player Offers Expanded Entertainment Options for HDTV Owners
''EXPO - Magic of the White City'' to Air on Public Television
TrueNorthMusicProductions.com's Breakthrough Dragonfly Personal Powerless Stethoscope Amp Converts Any Guitar Into a Travel Guitar
E-40's New Single "U And Dat" Hits Big at MTV, BET, and MTV Jams
Bay Area Hip-Hop Legend Joins the "And 1 Mixtape Tour 2006" This Summer
The Mentalist Moves to Legendary Stardust Resort & Casino
Sean Paul Embarks on Major North American Concert Tour
The Summer of Sean Continues as He Opens for Mariah Carey's "The Adventures of Mimi: The Voice, The Hits, The Tour"
Visual Entertainment to Distribute New Releases From Voy
Partnership Will Market and Distribute Latin-Themed Video Content in the United States
Yung Joc's "It's Goin' Down" Goes to the Top: Single Hits #1 on Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Chart Debut Album, "NEW JOC CITY," Out June 6th on Block/Bad Boy
Supervision Announces Major Developments in Video, Uranium and Technology
Rhapsody to Feature Pre-Release Stream of Guster's New Album -- "Ganging Up on the Sun" -- on June 6th
Yoga for Couch Potatoes" DVD Release
New DVD Follows Successful "Ask Yogi Marlon" Series
MoneyTV, Week of 6/2
SPORTS
Sprint, NHL Announce Stanley Cup Final Player of the Game Text-to-Vote Program: Fans Can Vote for the Outstanding Player of Each Stanley Cup Final Game
NEWS AND NEWS FROM CHINA
Visa International has launched its first marketing effort highlighting its sponsorship of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing
Over 700 Communities to Celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day on Sunday, June 4
Star TV and PCCW pair up to expand IPTV business
___________________________________________
ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY
Legendary Dr. John & The Lower 911 performed for the annual Elf Foundation Benefit Concert, sponsored by XM Satellite Radio, held at the Home Entertainment Show in Los Angeles earlier today.
With a distinctive style, influenced by New Orleans, this virtuoso pianist, singer and songwriter creates a unique blend of funk, rhythm & blues, psychedelic rock and Creole roots. Reminders of voodoo adorned his persona, piano, and cane. Attired in a deep red accented by midnight black, memories of The Big Easy danced in your head.
Sometimes referred to as Doctor John, The Night Tripper, he is often best remembered for this 1973 classic hit song, “Right Place, Wrong Time.” He frequently performs live with Aaron Neville and at time with Fats Domino. He has performed in benefit concerts for his hometown of New Orleans.
In person, he is indeed a mysterious musician and a gentle soul. Although you've probably already realized that from his musical career beginning in the 1950s and the benefits he's doing.
Dr. John, thanks for a memorable evening
For more information, visit www.drjohn.org
(C)MBN 2006 (William Hoehne & Joyce Chow)
About The Elf Foundation
The Elf Foundation was founded in July of 2001, with the express mission of creating private entertainment theaters – 'Rooms of Magic' - for children’s hospitals, autism centers, shelters for abused kids, and terminally-ill hospices for children across the country. Operating as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit charity, the foundation acts as a catalyst within the consumer electronics industry and in local communities to advance their mission of bringing the magic of music and film to special kids in a time of need. To date, The Elf Foundation has opened over 50 'Room of Magic' theaters in the U.S. and Canada. For more information visit www.elfSystems.org
Image Entertainment and Starbucks Hear Music to Co-Release a Musical Event with a Deluxe Edition DVD/CD of Taylor Hackford's Landmark Documentary ''Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'N' Roll'' Exclusively at Starbucks
Image Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq:DISK):
-- Available for the First Time on DVD, The Deluxe Edition DVD/CD Includes Newly Remastered, Widescreen Edition of Hackford's Film Plus Previously Unreleased Bonus Footage and a CD of Chuck Berry's Hits Produced by Starbucks Hear Music
Image Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq:DISK), a leading independent licensee, producer and distributor of home entertainment programming in North America, and Starbucks (Nasdaq:SBUX) Hear Music announced today that they will co-release an exclusive Deluxe Edition DVD/CD of "Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'N' Roll." Directed by Taylor Hackford, the much-celebrated 1987 feature-length documentary captures the musical event that commemorated the 60th birthday of music legend Chuck Berry. Available for the first time on DVD, the Deluxe Edition contains more than 40 minutes of previously unreleased bonus footage and is paired with a 14-song CD compilation of Chuck Berry hits from the '50s and '60s, produced by Starbucks Hear Music. The Deluxe Edition DVD/CD will be available exclusively at Starbucks Company-operated locations in the U.S. and online at http://www.starbucks.com/hearmusic beginning June 27, 2006.
"Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'N' Roll" documents the 1986 gathering of great musicians who, at the invitation of Keith Richards, performed for an evening of music to honor Chuck Berry on his 60th birthday. Among the music superstars featured are Eric Clapton, Etta James, Linda Rondstadt, Robert Cray and Julian Lennon. Interviews with legends Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Roy Orbison and Bo Diddley are also incorporated into the film.
"I am very pleased that 'Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'N' Roll' will be the first music-related film to be sold at Starbucks," said Taylor Hackford. "I'm thrilled that this film is finally going to be available on DVD, and even more excited about the opportunity to include special, never-before-seen footage. Starbucks customers will get an added treat with the special bonus audio CD that will come with the DVD and features Chuck Berry hits from the '50s and '60s."
The Starbucks Hear Music content team handpicked songs to include on the exclusive CD compilation to complement Taylor Hackford's feature film documentary.
"Starbucks Hear Music's content team excels at compiling the very best of a legendary artist's catalog, mixing big hits with lesser known tracks to create unique CD compilations that surprise and delight our customers," explained Ken Lombard, president Starbucks Entertainment. "With this exclusive Deluxe Edition DVD/CD set we are pleased to work with Taylor Hackford and his team to pair a handcrafted Starbucks Hear Music(TM) CD of Chuck Berry classics with Hackford's brilliant documentary film."
"This will be the first time that a music-related feature film documentary is being merchandised in Starbucks," said Barry Gordon, senior vice president of worldwide programming of Image Entertainment. "'Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'N' Roll' is a unique, high-quality musical event with a wide and discriminating demographic of potential consumers. This dovetails nicely with the Starbucks customer and we are excited to work with Starbucks Hear Music to create this exclusive DVD/CD set for Starbucks."
Simultaneous with the release of the Starbucks Deluxe Edition DVD/CD, Image is also releasing the documentary film at retail locations nationwide in both a two-DVD edition and a four-DVD edition, both of which will feature a wide array of bonus content, including never-before-seen footage, interviews, documentaries and more.
About Starbucks Hear Music
Founded in 1990, and acquired by Starbucks Coffee Company in 1999, Starbucks Hear Music is the voice of music at Starbucks. Starbucks Hear Music is dedicated to creating a new and convenient way for consumers to discover, experience and acquire all genres of great music through its CD compilations and music programming for Starbucks coffeehouses worldwide, as well as its innovative partnerships with other music labels to produce, market and distribute both exclusive and non-exclusive music. In 2004, Starbucks Hear Music launched a 24-hour digital music channel with XM Satellite Radio (XM Channel 75), the Starbucks Hear Music(TM) Coffeehouse in Santa Monica where customers can select from over 15,000 CDs or burn their own custom mixes, and the Starbucks Hear Music(TM) media bars, a service that offers custom CD burning at select Starbucks retail locations in Seattle and Austin. In 2005, Starbucks Hear Music opened the Starbucks Hear Music(TM) Coffeehouse in San Antonio, Texas. In 2006, Starbucks opened the Starbucks Hear Music(TM) Coffeehouse in Miami, Florida. Starbucks Hear Music(TM) CDs are featured at Hear Music and Starbucks retail locations, as well as online at http://www.starbucks.com/hearmusic.
About Starbucks Coffee Company
Through the dedication of our passionate partners (employees), Starbucks Coffee Company has transformed the way people in 37 countries enjoy their coffee, one cup at a time. Starbucks is the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world, with more than 11,000 retail locations in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim. The Company is committed to offering its customers the highest quality coffee and human connection through the Starbucks Experience, while striving to improve the social, environmental and economic well being of its partners, coffee farmers, countries of coffee origin, and the communities which it serves. Through Ethos Water, Starbucks demonstrates its long history of integrating a social conscience into all aspects of its business. The Company surprises and delights its customers by producing and selling bottled Starbucks Frappuccino(R) coffee drinks, Starbucks DoubleShot(R) espresso drink and Starbucks(R) superpremium ice creams through its joint venture partnerships, and Starbucks(TM) Coffee and Cream Liqueurs through a marketing and distribution agreement, in other convenient locations outside its retail operations. The Company's brand portfolio includes superpremium Tazo(R) teas, Starbucks Hear Music(TM) compact discs, Seattle's Best Coffee and Torrefazione Italia. These brands' unique and innovative personalities allow Starbucks to appeal to a broad consumer base.
About Image Entertainment
Image Entertainment, Inc. is a leading independent licensee, producer and distributor of home entertainment programming in North America, with approximately 3,000 exclusive DVD titles and over 200 exclusive CD titles in domestic release and approximately 300 programs internationally via sublicense agreements. For many of its titles, the Company has exclusive audio and broadcast rights and, through its subsidiary Egami Media, Inc., has digital download rights to more than 1,500 video programs and over 150 audio programs containing more than 2,000 tracks. The Company is headquartered in Chatsworth, California, and has a domestic distribution facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ckrush Film Comedy ''Artie Lange's Beer League'' World Premiere At CineVegas Film Festival in Las Vegas; Acceptance in Festival Reinforces Ckrush's Growing Recognition in Film Production and Distribution Marketplace
Ckrush, Inc. (OTCBB:CKRH), a producer and distributor of digital entertainment content, feature films and sports programming, announced today that its feature film comedy, "Artie Lange's Beer League," has been accepted into the 8th Annual CineVegas Film Festival, to be held June 9-17, 2006, at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"Artie Lange's Beer League" stars the popular comedian/actor Artie Lange of Howard Stern Show Fame. The film will be included in CineVegas "Sure Bets" advance screenings of high-profile films that have secured U.S. distribution and will make its World Premiere on June 16th.
"CineVegas annually highlights exciting, innovative and bold offerings from up-and-coming filmmakers and proven veterans alike, and we're ecstatic that our film was accepted into its ranks," said Jeremy Dallow, President of Ckrush.
CineVegas has previously hosted the world premieres of such notable films as "George A. Romero's Land of the Dead," "Spun," and "Poolhall Junkies," as well as advance screenings of high-profile and independent films, shorts and documentaries, such as "Hustle & Flow," "Whale Rider," "Gods and Monsters," "Cider House Rules," and "Napoleon Dynamite."
About CineVegas
CineVegas has established itself as one of the hottest and fastest growing film festivals in the world, being mentioned in a TIME Magazine cover story as well as listed as one of the top 5 small fests to visit by Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper. The 8th annual festival will be held June 9-17, 2006, at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas and will combine the excitement of world premiere films and celebrity tributes with the allure of Vegas nightlife. CineVegas also highlights up and coming filmmakers, as well as masters of the craft, and has attracted the likes of Dustin Hoffman, Josh Hartnett, Benicio del Toro, Quentin Tarantino, Tony Curtis, and Michael Caine in years past. For more information visit http://www.cinevegas.com.
About Ckrush, Inc.
Ckrush, Inc., formed in 2004, produces entertainment and sports-related digital and filmed content for global distribution to all media platforms. Ckrush has recently produced for later release the feature film comedy "Artie Lange's Beer League," starring Artie Lange, the popular comedian/actor who is a regular on the Howard Stern Show, and "National Lampoon's TV the Movie," starring Steve O, Preston Lacy and Wee-Man of "Jackass" fame. Ckrush also co-produced National Lampoon's "Pledge This," starring Paris Hilton. Ckrush Sports, Inc. focuses on the promotion of professional boxers, boxing events and other sports ventures. Ckrush Direct produces and distributes programs and products for pay-per-view video-on-demand, and retail and direct response DVD and video channels
Music Superstars Join Forces in Los Angeles for Mega Event: ''JCPenney Jam...The Concert for America's Kids''
Join us on rehearsal day as today's hottest stars hit Los Angeles to participate in the "JCPenney Jam...The Concert for America's Kids." Hosted by Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw and music-directed by David Foster, the live concert will mark the largest project ever undertaken in America to raise awareness about the need for working families to have access to quality afterschool programs.
The LIVE concert will take place at Los Angeles' historic Shrine Auditorium at 8 p.m. on June 14, and will be broadcast August 22 on the CBS Television Network
Who: Dr. Phil McGraw, talk show host; Andrea Bocelli, legendary
vocal tenor; Sara Evans, 2006 Academy of Country Music
Awards, Female Vocalist of the year; David Foster,
GRAMMY(r)-winning producer, songwriter and musician; John
Legend, GRAMMY(r)-winning R&B performer; Martina McBride,
country superstar; Alejandro Sanz, Latin GRAMMY(r) winning
pop star; 3 Doors Down, rock supergroup... and more!
A dozen youngsters who have benefited from afterschool
programs also will be on hand, as well as JCPenney
executives.
Why: The growing problem of inadequate afterschool supervision
for America's youth cuts across all ethnic, income and
demographic boundaries, and positive solutions have the
potential to affect society in a meaningful way.
High-quality afterschool programs can help keep children
safe and produce life-changing, lasting benefits, including
healthier lifestyles, improved social skills, and enhanced
academic performance. Through its support of afterschool
programs in communities across the nation, the JCPenney
Afterschool Fund has become the leader in championing and
shaping the afterschool movement.
Now Available at Retail, New RCA High-Definition DVD Player Offers Expanded Entertainment Options for HDTV Owners
New RCA HD DVD Player Completes Movie Experience in the Home With Outstanding Resolution, Vivid Colors, Stunning Sound at an Affordable Price Point
Designed to complement the surging popularity of high-definition TV displays and concurrent with the release of new HD DVD movie titles, the all-new RCA HDV5000 HD DVD player is now shipping to retailers nationwide. The HDV5000 (suggested retail price $499) combines the superior image quality of high-definition images and multi-channel surround sound with the convenience of DVD disc playback.
"The RCA HDV5000 offers consumers new options in home entertainment while retaining the convenience and ease of use that has made DVD players one of the most popular products in consumer electronics history," said Dan Collishaw, Chief Operating Officer for Thomson's Audio/Video and Accessories businesses. "This inaugural HD DVD product promises to deliver pre-recorded entertainment to the home in a dimension never before seen - true high-definition favorites that will further enhance a high-end home theater system. And it comes at a truly affordable price for consumers."
Officially endorsed by the DVD Forum industry organization as the next high-capacity DVD disc, the HD DVD format featured in the HDV5000 delivers sharper, more detailed picture performance than standard DVD discs. Moreover, the HD DVD format opens new avenues of interactivity including enhanced on-screen menus, scene searching, directors' commentaries and the potential for online shopping. For consumers with large libraries of digital disc content, the RCA HDV5000 player provides backward compatibility with current DVD discs as well as audio CDs that have been available for over 20 years.
The HDV5000 supports various video formats including MPEG2, MPEG4/AVC and VC1. The unit plays back DVD/DVD-R/-RW/DVD-RAM discs and mp3 audio files from CD-R/CD-RW discs.
As movie studios prepare new titles for release in the high-definition HD DVD disc format, the retail introduction of the RCA HDV5000 offers consumers an array of convenience features that enhance the movie experience. These include the ability to search the on-screen menu, make changes to set-up options or access other menu functions while the movie is playing. Scene searching is facilitated with thumbnail images on the TV screen that allow you to use the cursor to go directly to a specific scene. The viewer can even access bonus material like director's comments while the movie is playing without going back to the disc's menu.
A key convenience is the capability to connect the recorder to the consumer's home network using the HDV5000's Ethernet port which enables upgrading of the player as new features are developed. Some of the unit's additional features include multiple audio and video stream decoding with separate volume control and 5.1 channel surround sound capability.
The RCA HDV5000 provides high-definition up-conversion of standard DVD discs and includes an HDMI 1.1 output for digital audio and video in one convenient connection. The HDV5000 will output copy-protected HD content through the HDMI interface in either 720p or 1080i - and standard definition DVD discs can be upconverted to 720p or 1080i to complement the performance of a high-definition television. Since the conversion occurs in the player, the signal is free of excessive digital-to-analog conversion artifacts.
While improved picture performance is an outstanding advantage of the RCA HDV5000, audio quality is equally impressive, featuring Dolby(R) Digital Plus technology for a more realistic listening experience. The player features built-in multichannel decoders for Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD (2 channel), DTS and DTS-HD (5.1 channel). The HDV5000 delivers digital information to a Surround Sound processor/receiver through S/PDIF or HDMI outputs.
Additional features of the RCA HDV5000 include:
-- Enhanced black level selection for optimum brightness.
-- Letterbox pan and scan support for multiple video formats.
-- Multiple audio and video stream decoding with separate volume control.
About Thomson - Partner to the Media & Entertainment Industries
Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453)(NYSE:TMS) provides services, systems and technology to help its Media & Entertainment clients - content creators, content distributors and users of its technology - realize their business goals and optimize their performance in a rapidly changing technology environment. The Group is the preferred partner to the Media & Entertainment Industries through its Technicolor, Grass Valley, RCA and Thomson brands. For more information: http://www.thomson.net.
''EXPO - Magic of the White City'' to Air on Public Television
Inecom Entertainment Company is pleased to announce that "EXPO - Magic of the White City" will be distributed to public broadcasting stations nationwide by American Public Television (APT) in September 2006. Narrated by Gene Wilder, the feature documentary is presented by Penn State Public Broadcasting (PSPB) in two one-hour programs available in both standard and high-definition formats. Currently, the 116-minute film is available nationwide at video stores, Internet retailers, educational and institutional distributors and large retail chains such as Borders stores.
Produced and directed by Mark Bussler ("Horses of Gettysburg" narrated by Ronald F. Maxwell and "Gettysburg and Stories of Valor" narrated by Keith Carradine), "EXPO - Magic of the White City" cinematically explores the exotic, creative, and innovative world on display at one of the most unforgettable events in American history - the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Gene Wilder's narration brings the film to life by placing the viewer in the midst of the Fair's excitement and drama. Nearly 28 million people visit the "White City," which inspires innovators like Henry Ford, Walt Disney and Frank Lloyd Wright. The Exposition debuts the Ferris Wheel, Cracker Jack(R) and many other popular products today.
Weeks after its release, "EXPO - Magic of the White City," was the #1 available documentary as well as the #1 independently-distributed DVD on Amazon.com. The film was one of the Top 10 bestselling documentaries and the #1 historical documentary during the fourth quarter of 2005 at Borders stores nationwide, making it Inecom's most successful title for the year.
About Penn State Public Broadcasting
Penn State Public Broadcasting, WPSU TV/FM, is licensed to The Pennsylvania State University. Other PSPB productions distributed nationally to the PBS system include the series "Legendary Lighthouses," "Small Ball: A Little League Story" and its Emmy-award winning production of "The Grange Fair: An American Tradition."
About American Public Television
For 44 years, American Public Television (APT) has been a prime source of programming for the nation's public television stations. APT distributes more than 10,000 hours of programming including "JFK: Breaking the News," "Simply Ming," "Globe Trekker," "Rick Steves' Europe," "Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home," "Battlefield Britain," "Jungle," "America's Test Kitchen," "Lidia's Family Table" and classic movies. APT is known for identifying innovative programs and developing creative distribution techniques for producers. In four decades, it has established a tradition of providing public television stations nationwide with program choices that enable them to strengthen and customize their schedules. Press should contact Donna Hardwick at 617-338-4455 ext. 129 or via email to Donna_Hardwick@APTonline.org. For more information about APT's programs and services visit http://www.APTonline.org.
About Inecom Entertainment Company
Inecom Entertainment Company finances and distributes independent films by partnering with innovative producers and working with celebrated talent such as Ronald F. Maxwell, Richard Dreyfuss, Keith Carradine and Gene Wilder.
Since 2001, Inecom has released eight feature documentaries and multiple instructional films for U.S. and international distribution including "Lincoln and Lee at Antietam - The Cost of Freedom" and "Horses of Gettysburg," both narrated by Ronald F. Maxwell, "Johnstown Flood" narrated by Richard Dreyfuss and "Gettysburg and Stories of Valor" narrated by Keith Carradine. Inecom's upcoming productions include "Winters of War," "The Clara Barton Story" and "World War 1 - American Legacy."
TrueNorthMusicProductions.com's Breakthrough Dragonfly Personal Powerless Stethoscope Amp Converts Any Guitar Into a Travel Guitar
Busy Musicians Find a Convenient Way to Practice Guitar Anywhere - Without Disturbing Others - With New Portable, Powerless Cord-Free Guitar Amplification Device True North Music Productions today announced the release of The Dragonfly Personal Powerless Stethoscope Amp, a lightweight, portable amplifier that requires no cords, electricity or batteries and allows musicians to maintain their chops in virtually any environment. The Dragonfly is fitted with suction cups that attach to the backs of most electric or bass guitars. The device amplifies a guitar's sound into headphones, which are included. The straightforward stethoscope technology produces natural, studio-quality sound and is an upgraded version of the same technology used in a doctor's stethoscope. The Dragonfly provides players with a lightweight, natural amplification device that can be transported anywhere.
Both amateur and professional musicians who travel often and need to practice without disturbing anyone or play in confined spaces such as hotel rooms use the amp to play their guitars under less-than-ideal circumstances. In particular, U.S. soldiers in Iraq have purchased The Dragonfly because it allows them to amp their guitars in an environment where batteries are scarce and electricity is often unavailable. The Dragonfly also helps musicians play their guitars without disturbing others as the headphones restrict the amplified sound to a musician's ears. "We thought that people who love playing guitar would simply play more often if the whole process was less cumbersome," said Bob Cerone, True North's owner and creative director. "We basically tried to create an amp that would allow people to play their guitars with great tone and without the hassles of batteries or a guitar cord - for more meaningful practice sessions and without disturbing anyone." The Dragonfly also attaches to acoustic guitars and functions as a vocal training tool. Singers can hear their voices vibrating and correct themselves when they're out of tune. Before performances, musicians can use the amp for precise tuning or for instrument adjustments. The amp's patent-pending technology was created by Cerone. He came up with the idea for The Dragonfly while playing his acoustic guitar with an original rock band when he had a cold. When he placed his ear against the guitar to hear the notes, they resonated like a heartbeat. He later channeled this experience into designing an amp that projected sound in the manner of a stethoscope. Photos: For more information and additional pictures of The Dragonfly, visit True North's website at http://www.truenorthmusicproductions.com. The Dragonfly retails for $24.95. Musicians can purchase the amp via PayPal at http://www.truenorthmusicproductions.com or by sending a check or money order to: True North Music Productions.com 3521 W.P.C. 2nd Fl. Newtown Square, PA 19073 About True North Music Productions True North Music Productions' owner and creative director, Bob Cerone, has been inventing and manufacturing tools for musicians and creating music-teaching methodologies for nearly two decades. The company is based in Newtown Square, Pennsylvaniarobert.cerone@verizon.net http://www.truenorthmusicproductions.com
E-40's New Single "U And Dat" Hits Big at MTV, BET, and MTV Jams
Bay Area Hip-Hop Legend Joins the "And 1 Mixtape Tour 2006" This Summer
The video for "U And Dat," the new single from platinum-selling rapper Reprise/BME Recordings/Sick Wid It Records artist E-40, is heating up at MTV, BET, and MTV Jams, where it will be "Jam of the Week" beginning June 5th (168 spins). The clip has been added to BET's "Rap City" and Fuse's "No. 1 Countdown" hip-hop show. The video originally premiered on Yahoo! Music and will be featured on Myspace next week. The track is the number three most added song at radio this week, with 40 stations coming to the party (including, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Atlanta, and Charlotte) and in the Top 15 at Rhythm Radio.
"U And Dat" is the second single from the Bay Area hip-hop legend's 12th album "My Ghetto Report Card," which debuted at Number One on Billboard's R&B/Hip Hop and Rap charts, as well as Number Three on the Top 200 chart in March.
To support the album, 40 will join the "And 1 Mix Tape Tour 2006," which brings together the nation's best playground basketball players in arenas across the U.S. The tour begins June 4 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., and heads across the country throughout the summer before concluding August 25th at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The tour is sponsored by shoe company And 1 and Mountain Dew.
E-40 will make televised appearances on two MTV shows, performing on "Jamie Kennedy's Blowin' Up" on July 11th and on "Wild 'N Out" at the end of the summer. And if you've missed it, he's been on 15+ magazine/newspaper covers, including of USA Today, NY Times, Dub Magazine, Murder Dog, Rime and others.
E-40's summer tour dates on the "And 1 Mix Tape Tour 2006" are as follows:
Sun., 6/4 Carson, CA Home Depot Center
Wed., 6/7 Oakland, CA Oakland Arena
Sun., 6/11 Portland, OR Rose Garden
Thurs., 6/15 Salt Lake City, UT The E Center
Mon., 6/19 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center
Thurs., 6/22 Denver, CO Denver Coliseum
Sun., 6/25 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center
Wed., 6/28 Houston, TX Reliant Arena
Sun., 7/2 Kansas City, MO Kemper Arena
Thurs., 7/6 Minneapolis, MN Target Center
Sun., 7/9 Milwaukee, WI US Cellular Arena
Thurs., 7/13 Indianapolis, IN Conseco Fieldhouse
Sat., 7/15 Chicago, IL United Center
Mon., 7/24 Cleveland, OH Wolstein Center
Thurs., 7/27 Louisville, KY Freedom Hall
Sun., 7/30 Atlanta, GA Gwinnett Center
Thurs., 8/3 Miami, FL Bank United Center
Sun., 8/6 Orlando, FL UCF Arena
Wed., 8/9 Raleigh, NC RBC Center
Sat., 8/12 Washington, DC Verizon Center
Wed., 8/16 Norfolk, VA Constant Center
Sat., 8/19 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center
Tues., 8/22 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden
Mon., 8/25 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
SOURCE: Warner Bros. Records
The Mentalist Moves to Legendary Stardust Resort & Casino
Award-winning mentalist, Gerry McCambridge, has found a home on the Las Vegas Strip at The Legendary Stardust Resort & Casino with performances beginning June 2.
In July 2005, McCambridge arrived in Las Vegas from New York and signed a three-week contract with a local casino. Due to popular demand and high ticket sales, McCambridge performed nightly for the past 47 weeks before deciding to end his run and take his act to the Las Vegas Strip.
The Mentalist's show is a mixture of comedy, mind reading, intuition and strange predictions. The show is full of audience participation -- one routine includes McCambridge reading the mind of someone in another state randomly called by an audience member, on the caller's very own cellular phone. Throughout the show, audience members select each other as volunteers in order to demonstrate there is no conspiracy occurring. McCambridge has a standing offer of $500,000 payable to anyone who can prove he uses stooges, audience plants, confederates, or collects any secret information prior to the show to accomplish his amazing feats of impossible-to-believe skills of mentalism.
McCambridge has appeared on many national television shows including "The Today Show," "Special Report on CNBC," "Late Night with David Letterman," "The Best Damn Sports Show... Period," "Soap Talk," and "The Vegas Show." He starred in a critically acclaimed off-Broadway show in New York City, as well as starred in and executive produced NBC's "The Mentalist," which currently airs worldwide. In 2005, the International Psychic Entertainers Association unanimously voted him as the World's Top Entertainer in the area of comedy and mentalism.
For years, McCambridge was known as "The Mentalist to the Stars," performing at ultra private A-list Hollywood celebrity parties. Those who have witnessed McCambridge read minds include: Muhammad Ali, Carol Alt, Courteney Cox, Howard Stern, Catherine Hickland, Jesse Ventura, Dennis Miller, Issac Hayes, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lisa Kudrow, Donald Trump, John Larroquette, Robin Leach, Tim Burton, Dionne Warwick, Larry David, David Letterman, Patricia Arquette, David Spade, Audrey Meadows, John O'Hurley, Matt LeBlanc, Molly Simms, Gilbert Gottfried, Matt Lauer, Kelly Ripa, Megan Mullally, Carrie Fisher, David Arquette, Joe Piscopo, and Rob Lowe.
The Mentalist will begin performing at the Hypnotic Lounge inside The Legendary Stardust Resort & Casino on June 2. Show times are Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday at 5 p.m. Tickets for The Mentalist are $27.95. To purchase tickets, please call the Stardust box office at (702) 732-6325 or (866) 888-3427. For more information on Gerry McCambridge, The Mentalist, visit www.mentalist.com.
SOURCE: The Mentalist Gerry McCambridge
Sean Paul Embarks on Major North American Concert Tour
The Summer of Sean Continues as He Opens for Mariah Carey's "The Adventures of Mimi: The Voice, The Hits, The Tour"
Sean Paul has just announced that he will join Mariah Carey on a North American concert tour hitting arenas across the country and Canada. This tour comes hard on the heels of Sean's third album, "The Trinity" (VP/Atlantic), being certified RIAA platinum. This is Sean's first national tour of this magnitude since the Roc The Mic Tour in 2003 and Mariah's first in over three years. Sean is set to join "The Adventures of Mimi: The Voice, The Hits, The Tour" on August 7th in Tampa, FL and tour the nation and Canada with Mariah through September 9th in Auburn Hills, MI. Tickets for most dates go on sale Friday, June 2nd. Live Nation is producing the tour.
Sean recently released the third single from "The Trinity," titled "Give It Up To Me." The single is #50 and rising on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and among the top five new & active tracks at CHR/Rhythmic radio. Meanwhile, "Temperature," his recent #1 smash crossover single, is still riding the top three on the national CHR/Pop charts and the top ten on the CHR/Rhythmic outlets. Prior to hitting the road with Mariah, Sean will travel to Europe for an extensive 4-week European tour beginning at the end of June.
Sean is the most successful Jamaican artist of all time on the U.S. charts, with three #1 singles ("Temperature," "Get Busy," and "Baby Boy"), five Top Ten hits (including "We Be Burnin'" and "Gimme The Light"), and eight chart entries over two worldwide multi-platinum albums.
Seal Paul's "The Trinity" is currently in its 34th week on the national charts, including 21 weeks at #1 on Billboard's Top Reggae Albums chart. The album has been a huge international hit, selling over 1.2 million copies overseas. It is certified platinum in Canada, France, and the Gulf States, and gold in Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Switzerland, Japan, and the United Kingdom, with as many as four singles heating up in these territories. The newest single to hit the international airwaves will be "Never Be The Same."
"The Trinity" is the follow-up to Sean's smash VP/Atlantic debut, "Dutty Rock," which sold more than 6 million copies worldwide. In the wake of breakthrough success of "Dutty Rock," Sean racked up numerous prestigious awards, including the Grammy for Best Reggae Album and MTV Europe's Best New Artist Award as well as Source, MOBO, Juno, Much Music, and International Reggae and World Music awards.
Below is a list of tour dates and venues:
Date City Venue
---- ---- -----
August 7 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum
August 9 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
August 11 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center
August 13 Toronto, ON, CA Air Canada Centre
August 15 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
August 17 Atlantic City, NJ Trump Taj Mahal
August 21 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden
August 23 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
August 25 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
August 27 East Rutherford, NJ Continental Arena
August 29 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
September 1 Albany, NY Pepsi Arena
September 3 Hershey, PA Giant Center
September 9 Auburn Hills, MI Palace of Auburn Hills
For more information, please visit www.seanpaulmusic.com.
Visual Entertainment to Distribute New Releases From Voy
Partnership Will Market and Distribute Latin-Themed Video Content in the United States
Soccer Documentary "Chivas: Si Se Puede" and DVD Series "VOY Baby" Lead Release Schedule
Expanding further on its commitment to the Latin market, Visual Entertainment (VE) has entered into a multi-year distribution agreement with VOY to distribute film and television programming for DVD release. This alliance was jointly announced today by Yolanda Macias, Vice President of Business Development for Visual Entertainment and Lourdes Diaz, President of VOY Pictures. Initial releases are slated to appear in major U.S. retailers by the summer.
VOY is the first diversified multimedia company focused on the next generation, bilingual Latino consumer and those discovering the Latin culture. The first VOY DVD series released under the agreement will be "VOY Baby," an infant line for Latinos and non-Latinos who want their children to learn Spanish. Additional volumes of the series will be released in the coming months.
The acclaimed documentary "Chivas: Si Se Puede" ("Yes You Can") will also be released as World Cup fever sweeps the world this summer. Produced by Primetime Group, the inspirational film tells the true story of a Mexican soccer franchise's unlikely success building an entire team in the U.S. from scratch: the Chivas of Los Angeles. The film was directed by Sergio Guerrero, the co-writer of last year's surprise hit, "A Day Without a Mexican."
Other products will cover a wide range of culturally relevant content -- from mainstream pictures with a Latin theme, to narrative documentaries, to videos for young families. VOY will also launch extensive online content, complimenting the releases with additional services and entertainment features.
"VOY perfectly compliments the Latino-themed content that has already become an integral part of Visual Entertainment's line of DVD products," stated. Macias. "VOY is committed to creating compelling and inspirational programming for a broad audience, and we are committed to helping them reach that audience as effectively as possible."
"The partnership with Visual Entertainment gives us an important distribution platform for VOY's video content. Through this alliance our products will be available at top national retailers reaching both Latin and mainstream consumers," commented Diaz. "We believe this is exactly the right strategy as Latinos -- and Latin culture in general -- are very much a part of the American mainstream culture. At the same time, many non-Latino families have a growing interest in Latin culture and in having their children learn Spanish. The 'VOY Baby' series will have a broad appeal to Latinos and non-Latinos alike."
Currently numbering 44.2 million people and growing almost four times faster than the overall U.S. population, Hispanics wield tremendous buying power -- reaching almost $800 billion this year and are expected to account for over $1 trillion by 2010 according to the Selig Center. Fully 83% of Latinos are bilingual (Geospace, 2006). According to Centris, Latino households buy 30% more DVDs per month than the average household. Retailers and suppliers have taken note of this outperformance by sharply increasing the number of Latino-oriented DVDs offered over the past several years.
About Visual Entertainment
Visual Entertainment (VE), a division of Universal Music Group Distribution (UMGD), has become a leading force in home entertainment and a favorite choice among independent producers of films. The company's goal is to provide the highest quality of marketing, sales and distribution services. VE's select product line features family, comedy, foreign, Latin, urban, fitness and theatrical releases. Studio partners include Bauer Martinez Distribution, Bodywisdom Media, Clanagan Media, First Independent Pictures, Melee Entertainment, New Light Entertainment, Palm Pictures, Rising Entertainment, Trinity Home Entertainment and Xenon Pictures. VE benefits from UMGD's award winning team and customer-centric culture. UMGD's recent awards include American Business Awards, three consecutive NARM awards for Distribution Company of the Year and numerous retail awards.
About VOY
VOY (meaning "I Go" in Spanish, www.voygroup.com) was founded with the goal of creating the first diversified media company focused exclusively on the fastest growing Latin demographic in the world: the new Pan Latin Generation. Consisting of upwardly mobile and bilingual 13-49 year old Latinos, the Pan Latin Generation is a fast growing segment of the global youth culture who seeks their own voice in a media landscape largely devoid of relevant content. Whether consumed in English or Spanish, online or offline in theatres, in homes or while on the go, VOY has established a unique content creation, discovery and distribution platform that is rapidly becoming a place to find, share and consume the best of Latin entertainment and culture. VOY has offices in New York, Los Angeles and Buenos Aires.
Yung Joc's "It's Goin' Down" Goes to the Top: Single Hits #1 on Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Chart Debut Album, "NEW JOC CITY," Out June 6th on Block/Bad Boy
Block Entertainment/Bad Boy South recording artist Yung Joc has gone to the top of Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with his smash single, "It's Goin' Down." The Atlanta-based rapper's first #1 record, it earned the "Greatest Gainer/Airplay" title for the week. The song has also been #1 at Urban radio nationwide for three consecutive weeks and has bulleted into the top five at CHR/Rhythmic outlets. Yung Joc's debut album, "NEW JOC CITY," hits stores next Tuesday, June 6th.
The companion video for "It's Goin' Down" is the #1 most-played video on BET, where Yung Joc is a "Rated Next" artist, as well as in Big Ten rotation on MTV.
"It's Goin' Down" is also enjoying explosive success in the ringtone world. Throughout June, Yung Joc will be heavily featured across all major carriers including Cingular, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, and Virgin Mobile USA. In addition, Sprint will have two exclusive non-album full-tracks available for download through the Sprint Music Store.
"NEW JOC CITY" will feature groundbreaking software that gives consumers the ability to choose their own ringtone edit from any section of any song on the album. The CD will include the UrTone player, developed by ID Interactive Inc., which will allow exclusive access to create personalized ringtones and send them straight to a mobile phone.
Leading up to the release of "NEW JOC CITY," Yung Joc collaborated with DJ Drama on the "WELCOME TO MY BLOCK GANGSTA GRILLZ" mix-CD. Next up will be the second track from "NEW JOC CITY," the self-produced "I Know You See It," for which Joc is also directing the companion video.
Yung Joc is currently on tour with Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I., highlighted by a show tonight, June 1, at New York's famed Apollo Theatre.
After grinding in the streets and doing what he had to do to maintain his rap credibility, the College Park/SWATS-bred MC is getting his chance to shine through the tutelage of Block Entertainment/Bad Boy South. Poised as Atlanta's next major rap star, Yung Joc is set to break topsoil and emerge fully-grown into hip-hop culture's mainstream.
SOURCE: Atlantic Records
Supervision Announces Major Developments in Video, Uranium and Technology
Supervision Entertainment (PINKSHEETS: SVET) is pleased to announce that it has, through a wholly owned subsidiary, signed various contracts for Video on Demand (VOD) with major companies such as Google, Netflix, Cinema Now, Rentrak, EZ Takes, and many other major companies in a number of countries. Due to NDA agreements with many of these companies, no further information can be released at this time as to the details of these agreements. The company is in the forefront of this technology and is also developing the telephone VOD market as well as the potential interactive programming activities for shows such as or like "Deal or No Deal," "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire," and others.
While the core business of the company is entertainment, it is also involved in a variety of other projects of interest.
The company has entered into a letter of intent to acquire 100% interest of a mining property in eastern Canada subject to due diligence and further geological work. The subject property consists of approximately 100 sq. miles of pure white marble which can be surface mined. In the current rock samples taken from the property and currently undergoing geological assessment, there have also been indications of URANIUM and other rare earth minerals. The company cautions that these findings are very preliminary and further information will be released in due course.
The company is also in the patent application process for a newly designed engine called the "SuperMag" which is not reliant on any fossil fuels. A prototype of the engine is being geared to be produced in 2007/8. Not only will the engine have transportation ramifications but it is also being designed to make every home capable of being removed from power grids. If a successful prototype can be built it will provide every home with electricity, heat and refrigeration. This project is and will be exclusive to Supervision and obviously will have significant ramifications with a potential worldwide market.
Portions of this document include 'forward looking statements' which may be understood as any statement other than a statement based of historical fact. Forward-looking statements in this document are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstances. These forward-looking statements include words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "potential," and other similar expressions. Actual results may vary materially from management's expectations and projections based in this document. Copyright 2006 Supervision Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved. No unauthorized duplication or distribution without the express written consent of Supervision Entertainment, Inc.
Rhapsody to Feature Pre-Release Stream of Guster's New Album -- "Ganging Up on the Sun" -- on June 6th
Fans Can Hear Album in Its Entirety Two Weeks Before Official Release Date on June 20th
Starting June 6th, the Rhapsody digital music service will be featuring a pre-release peak at "Ganging Up on the Sun," a full two weeks before the official release on June 20th. Guster fans can use Rhapsody to check out the highly anticipated album, including the track listing and album art, at http://play.rhapsody.com/guster/ganginguponthesun. The URL will go live at 5 A.M. PDT on June 6th.
Guster's fifth studio album, "Ganging Up on the Sun" retains the band's trademark melodic pop craftsmanship and flawless harmonies, while adding a classic rock feel to the mix. The band, which now includes Nashville-based multi-instrumentalist Joe Pisapia as a full-time member alongside singer/guitarist Ryan Miller, singer/guitarist Adam Gardner, and percussionist Brian Rosenworcel, will hit the road next month for a summer co-headlining tour with Ray LaMontagne. The first leg of the tour begins July 11th in Baltimore and continues through the South and Midwest before heading to the East Coast and finishing up in Portland, Maine, on August 19th.
In addition, Guster will perform their new single "One Man Wrecking Machine" on NBC's "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on June 27th and on CBS's "The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson" on June 30th.
Yoga for Couch Potatoes" DVD Release
New DVD Follows Successful "Ask Yogi Marlon" Series
Marlon Braccia, known to audiences as "Yogi Marlon," has released "Yoga for Couch Potatoes," a two-hour DVD with nine chapters designed specifically for the overweight. Yoga for Couch Potatoes addresses pandemic obesity rates, providing an exercise routine for the overweight consumer. Using traditional ayurveda and modern science, Yogi Marlon teaches how to embrace a holistic lifestyle. Nine chapters of interviews, instruction and super-easy, follow-along practices aim to prove the age-old teaching that there's an appropriate and doable form of yoga for everyone, even the overweight.
The Yogi Marlon concept presents a compassionate yoga master explaining yoga techniques and terms -- simply and with humor. Both overweight and morbidly obese participants are featured, clearly showing that the practice is accessible and within their ability. The philosophy of a healthy, toxin-free, chemical-free life is presented to reach those who have little knowledge of it. Acoustic guitar music was written and performed for the soundtrack by renowned jazz artist Thom Rotella.
The "Ask Yogi Marlon" DVD series has sold over 300,000 units through Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City, Amazon.com and eBay. Marlon Braccia is an accredited Yoga Master, widely read columnist, and owner of Shiva Entertainment, Inc. She has appeared in film, television and print as the young Elizabeth Taylor. Her instructional TV series, "Yoga Time with Marlon Braccia," was seen by millions for over seven years. She was featured in "Eye on L.A.," the ABC local magazine program, highlighting her expertise as a yogi and holistic living consultant. A diet and nutrition expert, her first cookbook, "The Enlightened Cook," will be released in early 2007. Visit www.askyogimarlon.com.
SOURCE: Shiva Entertainment, Inc.
MoneyTV, Week of 6/2
MoneyTV is the nationally syndicated television program all about money and what makes it happen, (http://www.moneytv.net), featuring informative interviews by hosts Donald Baillargeon and Skip Lindeman with company CEOs, providing insights into their operations and outlooks for their futures.
Free information packages from the featured companies can be requested by sending an email to info@moneytv.net.
The television program can also be viewed online immediately at www.moneytv.net.
Featured companies on this week's show include:
SoftNet Technology Corporation (OTCBB: STTC) CEO James Farinella announced Q1 revenues and introduced Kevin Holt as C.O.O..
Dragon Capital Group, Inc. Spokesperson Marc Seigel spoke of Chinese companies accessing U.S. capital markets.
Manhattan West Mortgage CEO Roger Schlesinger offered tips for financial survival.
Invisa Inc. (OTCBB: INSA) VP of Operations Carl Parks announced a new joint development of a swimming pool fence with "Parent Alert" feature.
RBC Dain Rauscher Sr. VP Irwin Shapiro spoke of bond yields in light of recent Fed moves with interest rates.
Semotus Solutions, Inc. (AMEX: DLK) CEO Anthony Lapine provided an update of recent company activity.
Creator Capital, Ltd. (PINKSHEETS: CTORF) CEO Alex Downie spoke of his company's Internet based video content delivery.
Viewers of MoneyTV can receive free information in the mail about featured companies by calling the toll-free phone number on their TV screen. The weekly television program debuted in 1996 and is broadcast nationally to 60 million U.S. homes on Saturdays at 11:00 AM ET, Sundays at 8:30 AM PT, & 9:30 AM ET and Mondays at 6:30 PM ET.
MoneyTV is broadcast to 45 million TV homes in Western Europe, Wednesdays at 7:30 PM.
MoneyTV is also broadcast on NBC-TV in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Sundays at 8:00 AM.
A complete menu of TV listings is available at the MoneyTV web site, http://www.moneytv.net.
MoneyTV television program, Copyright MMVI, all rights reserved. MoneyTV does not provide an analysis of companies' financial positions and is not soliciting to purchase or sell securities of the companies, nor are we offering a recommendation of featured companies or their stocks. Information discussed herein has been provided by the companies and should be verified independently with the companies and a securities analyst. MoneyTV provides companies a 3- to 4-month corporate profile with multiple appearances for a cash fee of $11,500.00 to $17,250.00, does not accept company stock as payment for services, does not hold any positions, options or warrants in featured companies. The information herein is not an endorsement by the producers, publisher or parent company of MoneyTV.
SPORTS
Sprint, NHL Announce Stanley Cup Final Player of the Game Text-to-Vote Program
Fans Can Vote for the Outstanding Player of Each Stanley Cup Final Game
Sprint (NYSE: S) and the NHL today announced the launch of the Sprint/NHL Stanley Cup Final Player of the Game text-to-vote program, which is designed to give fans the opportunity to determine the outstanding player of each Stanley Cup Final game.
How to Vote
Following the second period of each Stanley Cup Final game, fans can vote by sending a text message with the first and last name of the game's best player to 57447 or cast their vote on-line at NHL.com. Standard text messaging rates apply. Each game's voting results will be announced on-air during the next OLN or NBC game broadcast and posted on-line at NHL.com.
The 2006 Stanley Cup Final will begin Monday, June 5.
About the NHL
The National Hockey League, founded in 1917, is the second oldest of the four major team sports leagues in North America. Today, the NHL consists of 30 Member Clubs, each reflecting the League's international makeup, with players from 19 countries represented on team rosters. According to a Simmons Market Research study, NHL fans are younger, affluent and more educated than fans of any other professional sport. The study also showed that NHL fans consume a wider range of multimedia platforms and products. Through NHL Foundation, the League's charitable arm, the NHL raises money and awareness for Hockey Fights Cancer, Hockey's All-Star Kids and NHL Diversity, and supports the charitable efforts of all NHL players. For more information on the NHL, fans may log on to www.NHL.com.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of communications services bringing mobility to consumer, business and government customers. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks offering industry leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and an award-winning and global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.
NHL and Stanley Cup are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.
SOURCE: NHL
NEWS
Visa International has launched its first marketing effort highlighting its sponsorship of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing,
an event many marketers, including Visa, hope will give them greater brand equity and awareness with consumers in China's fast-growing economy.
The latest chapter in Visa's "Achieving Dreams" campaign marks the endorsement deal between the credit card brand and Chinese Olympic champion Liu Xiang, now a global brand ambassador for Visa. Mr. Liu became one of China's most popular athletes when he triumphed in the men's 110-meter hurdles at the 2004 Games in Athens--the first time a Chinese man had won an Olympic gold medal in track and field--and he is likely to be one of the most-watched athletes in Beijing.
"By working with Liu Xiang, we hope to draw more attention among consumers worldwide to the development of sports in China and the coming 2008 Beijing Olympic Games," said Richard Chang, Visa's exec VP and general manager, Greater China. "Liu Xiang is China's Olympic hero and we greatly admire his spirit of constantly challenging himself in pursuit of his dream."
As a worldwide Olympic partner, Visa is the exclusive payment card and official payment service of the Olympic Games through 2012, and will be the only card accepted at all Olympic venues for all official Olympic-related transactions. In addition to sponsoring Mr. Liu, Visa, like many advertisers in China, is eagerly attaching its brand to the country's various teams. Visa is now the official partner of the China National Short Track Speed Skating Team, the China National Figure Skating Team and the China National Free Style Skiing Team.
Visa is tapping into Mr. Liu's athleticism and popularity with a TV spot created by Omnicom Group's BBDO Worldwide in Shanghai. Set in Australia, the ad blends the track star's talents with that country's natural landscape. He chases a kangaroo and gracefully jumps over natural hurdles like country fences, while surrounded by exotic indigenous fauna and animals such as koalas and giant crocodiles. The spot ends with Mr. Liu helping a young girl retrieve a toy kangaroo. Throughout the spot, which launched late last week, a voiceover conveys Visa's commitment to helping cardholders worldwide realize their dreams.
The agency did not pick an international locale simply for its beauty. The growth of charge cards in China is increasingly connected to the country's growing exposure to the outside world. The ownership and use of charge cards by Chinese is still relatively low. There are few credit rating facilities in China to help residents qualify for them and only hotels and restaurants catering to international visitors reliably accept payment by credit card. As a result, there is low awareness about how charge cards operate.
According to McKinsey, the number of credit cards in China quadrupled from mid-2003 to mid-2005, but the total number was still just 12 million, a scant figure in a country with a population topping 1.2 billion. Ninety percent of the credit cards belong to the most affluent consumers in China--mostly residents of Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen with annual incomes above $4,000.
However, growth is expected to be rapid as more Chinese search for flexible financial services and charge card ownership as they start traveling abroad, because Visa and its competitors are almost essential on the global travel circuit to pay for hotel rooms and other services. Mr. Liu, for example, cited his "deep understanding about the inconvenience of carrying cash when traveling abroad for competitions" as the origin of his endorsement deal with Visa.
"As the Chinese economy grows rapidly, overseas travel has become increasingly popular with consumers," said Mr. Chang. "Visa is actively working to create a good electronic payment environment, allowing more Chinese cardholders to enjoy the convenience and ease of using their Visa cards when traveling abroad."
Visa has also found ways to facilitate card use for outbound Chinese tourists over the past year, such as a tie-up with Hong Kong Disneyland
Over 700 Communities to Celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day on Sunday, June 4
On Sunday, June 4, over 700 communities throughout the United States, Canada, and other participating countries, will observe the 19th annual National Cancer Survivors Day by hosting celebrations of life. The activities will be as diversified as the towns and cities where the events are held and will include parades, carnivals, races, art exhibits, ball games, contests, dances, inspirational programs and more.
Cancer survivors will be honored for their strength and courage, and the contributions of their families, friends and healthcare providers will be recognized. A “survivor” is anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life, according to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, which reports that 10 million Americans are cancer survivors.
NCSD will commence with greetings from President George W. Bush and the National Cancer Institute. The Foundation is encouraging everyone to participate in their community’s event. To locate the one nearest you, check with your local cancer treatment center, American Cancer Society office, or contact the Foundation at (615) 794-3006 or info@ncsdf.org.
The idea for the celebration evolved 21 years ago when lung cancer survivor Richard Bloch, co-founder of H&R Block, and his wife, Annette, held their first cancer survivor rally in Kansas City, Missouri. The idea soon caught on in other communities and has come to be known as National Cancer Survivors Day.
National Cancer Survivors Day 2006 is sponsored nationally in part by AstraZeneca, Coping® magazine and Lilly Oncology.
About the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation
The non-profit National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation supports hundreds of hospitals, support groups, and other cancer-related organizations that host National Cancer Survivors Day events in their communities, by providing free guidance, education and networking. Its primary mission is to educate the public on the issues of cancer survivorship in order to better the quality of life for cancer survivors.
About Cancer Survivorship
As the world celebrates life on National Cancer Survivors Day, the accomplishments of modern science are evident in the ever-growing cancer survivor population. Addressing the poorly understood needs of these survivors is becoming a formidable challenge. “The transition from active treatment to survivorship care is critical to the long-term health and well-being of people with cancer,” says Sandra J. Horning, M.D., in a statement issued by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Horning is ASCO’s president and co-chair of its Survivorship Task Force. “With more than 10 million cancer survivors living in the United States today, it is time to focus on all of the issues affecting these patients, both medical and psychosocial, so we can ensure they are getting the specialized attention they need.”
In November 2005, the Institute of Medicine issued 10 recommendations in its survivorship report, From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition. IOM’s central recommendation calls for a “Cancer Survivorship Care Plan.” “Patient care does not end when the cancer treatment ends,” says National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship president and two-time cancer survivor Ellen Stovall in the ASCO issued statement. Stovall is also co-chair of the IOM committee that drafted the report. “Together, we can work to implement actively these recommendations from IOM, and to break down the barriers to ensuring quality, long-term care for cancer survivors.” For more information about the IOM report, visit http://www.iom.edu/?id=31512.
About the National Sponsors
The National Sponsors of National Cancer Survivors Day 2006 are:
AstraZeneca – AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of $23.95 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infection products. In the United States, AstraZeneca is a $10.77 billion healthcare business with more than 12,000 employees. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index. For more information about AstraZeneca, please visit: www.astrazeneca-us.com.
Coping® magazine – Coping is America’s consumer magazine for people whose lives have been touched by cancer. Now in its 20th year of providing knowledge, hope and inspiration, the publication is read by more than 650,000 people in the waiting rooms of America’s private practice oncologists, urologists and cancer treatment centers. Coping will publish the official coverage of NCSD in its July/August issue. For more information, visit www.copingmag.com.
Lilly Oncology – Lilly Oncology is committed to partnering with the healthcare community to provide comprehensive solutions for cancer patients around the world. In addition to Gemzar® (gemcitabine HCl), Lilly has a promising pipeline of anti-cancer compounds. Lilly Oncology is proud to continue its support for National Cancer Survivors Day. For more information, visit www.lillyoncology.com.
More information on cancer and cancer survivorship:
National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov
American Society of Clinical Oncology: www.PLWC.org
American Cancer Society’s 2006 Cancer Facts & Figures: http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/CAFF2006PWSecured.pdf
American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org
Star TV and PCCW pair up to expand IPTV business
[hong kong] Two Hong Kong-based media companies, PCCW Ltd. and News Corp.'s Star TV, have revealed they are working together to explore Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) pay-TV opportunities in overseas markets. With IPTV, a digital television service is delivered to subscribing consumers using a broadband Internet connection. The alliance leverages Star's background in the pay-TV business and content creation and distribution with PCCW's experience in building and operating an IPTV business.
Star is Asia's largest media and entertainment company, distributing 59 channels in nine languages to over 300 million viewers across Asia. PCCW's Now Broadband TV service in Hong Kong, meanwhile, has signed up more than 550,000 users since its August 2003 launch, representing over 25% of Hong Kong's TV households. Now carries more than 110 TV and audio channels, including 17 channels provided by Star and its joint ventures.
"Telecom and broadband companies from around the world visit us regularly, to explore how PCCW can share its experience with them," said PCCW's executive director, Alex Arena, in Hong Kong.
GM on the road to offering auto financing in China
[shanghai] General Motors Corp. (GM) has been granted approval by the Chinese Insurance Regulatory Commission to establish a wholly-owned representative office for its financial services subsidiary, GMAC's Motors Insurance Corp., in Shanghai.
Managed by Chief Representative Henry Dai in Shanghai, previously GM's insurance manager in China, it will allow the U.S. auto giant to officially conduct market research, undertake feasibility studies and build relationships. Following a two-year waiting period, it will be eligible to apply for an insurance company license.
GM has been offering retail and wholesale auto financing in China since 2004, through its joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp., GMAC-SAIC Automotive Finance Co., China's first auto financing company
The new office will give GM greater opportunity "to develop our presence and capabilities in China, [where the] financial services sector is developing very quickly," said William Noll, president of GMAC Insurance in Southfield, Michigan.
Financing has become a hot issue in China. Car sales growth has slowed significantly since 2002, in part because the Chinese government clamped down on credit facilities for consumers to cool off the country's overheated car market. The industry remains highly restrictive and regulated. However, financing is the only way most Chinese consumers can afford to buy cars, given the relatively low level of income in the country.
Rolling Stone publishes second issue in China
[shanghai] Rolling Stone magazine has survived a close encounter with China's press and publishing authorities. The Chinese edition's first issue was a hit with readers, selling out just days after it appeared on local newsstands in early April, but the rebellious title broke too many rules, creating concern that the debut issue could also be the last.
However, Peter Brack, CEO of One Media Group, the Hong Kong-based media company publishing Rolling Stone in China in cooperation with Wenner Media in the U.S., confirmed that the magazine's second issue was published in May with 146 pages and "the third issue is out in early June. The English lettering [on the cover] has been removed, but other than that the content is unchanged."
The cover design raised the largest red flag among the authorities, as the English name "Rolling Stone" was far larger than the title's Chinese name, a sensitive gaffe in a Communist country still coming to terms with the influence of foreigners in its domestic affairs, particularly media.
The cover art on the second issue featured the magazine's namesake, The Rolling Stones band, who performed in China for the first time last month. Advertisers in the latest issue include Chivas, Franck Muller, Diesel, Absolut and Audi.
It's easy to run afoul of China's media authorities, according to publishing industry veterans like Jeremy Goldkorn, co-director of Standards Group, an independent ad agency in Beijing, because all foreign titles except those covering science and technology operate in a "gray area" in China.
He and other industry experts predicted last month that Rolling Stone would survive the ordeal through "a lot of groveling. [But] once the authorities start looking at them, they'll maintain a close watch. Rolling Stone will lose a lot of ground now as it's starting out, so this market will be tough for them."
Nitro wins InBev business in China
[shanghai] Belgium-based InBev, the world's largest brewer by volume, has appointed Nitro Group in Shanghai to handle creative for Baisha, one of its key local beer brands.
"Baisha beer has about a 70% share in its home province of Hunan but faces increasing competition from foreign invaders like Budweiser and national players like Olympic Sponsor Tsingtao and Snow," said Stephen Drummond, Nitro's group managing director and head of planning in Shanghai.
Since entering the Chinese market in 1997, InBev has become one of the largest brewers there and is the market leader in eight provinces: Fujian, Guangdong, Hebei, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi and Zhejiang. InBev's most recent acquisition in China was Fujian Sedrin Brewery Co, the largest brewer in Fujian province with a 45% market share in 2004, for $735 million (RMB 5,886 million) last January. It owns three breweries in Fujian as well as Jiangxi province, where it had an 18% market share in 2004.
"Fujian Sedrin is one of the most profitable Chinese brewers," said InBev CEO Carlos Brito. "The Sedrin brand will be one of InBev's top five selling brands globally by volume with significant potential for growth and expansion."
In the past three years, global brewers have flocked to China, the world's largest beer market by volume, but also a highly fragmented one with about 400 brewers. Pricing is rock bottom, with a bottle of beer costing as little as 16 cents.
But the local beer market is growing by up to 8% annually, Mr. Drummond added, a pace that is expected to continue for the next five to 10 years, particularly due to strong growth in the number of restaurants. The market's total per capita consumption is expected to double in the next decade from 23 liters a year now, compared to 100 liters in Australia and 60 in South Africa.
GroupM buys Chinese interactive media agency
[beijing] WPP Group media division, GroupM, has acquired 49% of Beijing Hua Yang Lian Zhong Advertising Co., one of the largest Chinese agencies specialising in online and interactive media. Founded in 1994, the Beijing-based agency and its Shanghai branch employ 99 people and generated $2.6 million in revenue in 2005, working with companies such as China Mobile, Motorola, BMW and Ebay.
Breaking news added to AdAgeChina since the last issue was published on May 18, 2006....
Li Ning retains Leo Burnett after three-way pitch
[beijing] The Chinese sportswear brand Li Ning has retained Leo Burnett Worldwide in Beijing as its creative agency following a three-way pitch against Ogilvy & Mather and Bates Asia. Billings were not disclosed but Li Ning spends up to $25 million on advertising. Leo Burnett and its media arm, Starcom, have worked with Li Ning since 2002.
"They have the passion and commitment for Li Ning necessary to make the brand stronger, especially ahead of the Olympic Games in 2008. They also provided good results in the pitch for specific questions about how to make the brand more cool and give it more attitude," said Abel Wu, Li Ning's VP-marketing and international business in Beijing.
The company trails Nike and Adidas but Li Ning is intensifying efforts to give its brand a more global image. Earlier this year, for example, it inked a deal with the National Basketball Association's Damon Jones to promote a new shoe series, Fei Jia (Flying Armor), marking the first time a current NBA player has been sponsored by any Chinese sports brand. At the same time, it is trying to make its Asian origins seem more stylish to young consumers, with sophisticated ads, for example, that feature a stylized form of Chinese calligraphy.
Anaheim Auto Show
(C)mbn 2006 (William Hoehne)
